Florida State Seminoles: Corey Fuller

It wasn't easy to put together a list of the best and worst performances from Florida State's dramatic come-from-behind win Thursday. It's not because there weren't a fair number of heroes and villains though. It's that they were the same players.

In the end, do you blame players for flubbing big plays that put FSU in a late hole? Or do you give them credit for bailing the Seminoles out in the final two minutes to ensure a 28-22 win? There's no easy answer, but here's our best crack at breaking it down anyway.

It was over when: Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas threw an interception on the Hokies' final possession of the game, squandering a last chance at a comeback. FSU safety Tyler Hunter grabbed the interception with 27 seconds remaining. The pass was intended for Corey Fuller. Thomas squatted down in dispair and FSU took over at its own 33.

Game ball goes to: FSU receiver Rashad Greene. He had six catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. His 76 receiving yards in the first half was his best effort of the season. His second-quarter touchdown was his first since the Clemson game.

Stat of the game: FSU was held to minus-15 yards rushing. Manuel was sacked five times, the most given up by the Seminoles this season.

Unsung hero of the game: Virginia Tech's defense. The Hokies played lights out for a majority of the game and were suffocating against the run.

What it means: The Noles maintained their grasp on the lead in the Atlantic Division race, further closing the door on Clemson, and they proved they can win outside of the state of Florida.

Florida State can't officially lock up the ACC Atlatic Division with a win tonight, and Virginia Tech won't necessarily scratch its way back into the Coastal Division race with a win either, but for both teams, their seasons may largely be defined by this game.

If FSU wins, only battered Maryland sits between the Seminoles and the ACC championship game. If the Hokies win, it means a small bit of redemption during a lost season and a chance to avoid the ignominy of finishing at .500 or worse.

"It's a hard environment," EJ Manuel said of Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium. "Any team that goes in there and gets a win, you've earned it. We'd be fools to think we're not going to get their best game of the year. They may not have played as good as they had in years past, but I don't think we're going to see the same team we've seen on film the past couple weeks. We're going to see a great team, extreme energy, guys flying around. I know we're going to get their 'A' game."

With that in mind, here are a few key matchups and numbers to watch as Florida State and Virginia Tech get ready to face off.

NOLES TO WATCH

James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman. Florida State would love to control the ground game, and Wilder and Freeman have shown they're more than capable of doing that, even without injured starter Chris Thompson. Where they're more likely to be tested, however, is in the passing game, where Virginia Tech loves to bring the blitz on defense. How well the two young running backs can recognize and pick up blitzes will likely play a big role in how well FSU can throw the ball on the Hokies' D.